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It all started with a heartfelt gift.Sara left the mansion's kitchen with a big container in her hands and a spring in her step. Of the seven various strong and occasionally chaotic energies in the House of Lamentation, she tuned into one and let it lead her.She followed the energy as though pulled along by an invisible string up the stairs and down the hall. The presence was a mixture of nervous excitement and steadfast comfort, like the gentle push and pull of ocean tides. It led her to Leviathan's door.“Leviathaaaan~” Sara called out as she softly knocked on the third-born’s door. After a moment, the door clicked and opened by itself, just enough to let her in and grant her entry into his underwater-themed sanctuary.The room was dimly lit, filled with the familiar hum of his monitors and soft bubbling of the giant aquarium at the back wall.She spotted the envy demon, unsurprisingly, perched at his desk in front of his computer. He was fully immersed in a game, his expression focused and serious, until her footsteps crossed the threshold.“Found you!” Sara crossed the room, passing by carefully dusted shelves of manga and lovingly arranged figures and standees.“Ossu! (hey!) Sara-chan!” Leviathan quickly paused his game and got up from his desk to greet her. “Do you need something? …N-not that you need a reason to come into my room! You're welcome anytime!” His gaze darted to the container in her hand. “N-nani sore?! (w-what’s that?!)”“For you!” She held up the giant tray and opened the lid with a flourish. It was chock full of colorful slices of cheesecake that were topped with decorated sugar cookies shaped like…“Ehhhh?! Are those…handmade Ruri-chan cookies on top?!! And TSL characters?! B-Boku ni?! (f-for me?!)”“Sure are!” Sara beamed. “I accidentally made too much since I'm used to cooking triple plus portions for Beel… But! These are your favorite characters, so…you get them all!”“Wow! Sugoi! (cool!)” Leviathan took the container carefully like it was made of Devildom black gold. “Arigatōgozaimasu (thank you) Sara-chan!!” He bowed deeply.“Of course, Levi.” Sara stood on her tiptoes to kiss the Avatar on the cheek, making him blush.“Ano, sa…(um…) I-I have to commemorate this!!” Leviathan fumbled for his phone to take pictures of the elaborate sweets for Devilgram posts and bragging rights. He took a few selfies with the character cookies, had Sara take some, and at last sat down to simply admire the desserts.Sara grinned and pulled up a chair. “Would you like to try one or two right now?”“M-maybe just one…” As Leviathan stared at the treats, he hesitated. “Uwa!! They're too cute to eat…” He mused. But, he thought, Sara loved to make sure him and his brothers were well-fed, so she might be disappointed if he didn't try at least one…Levi nodded triumphantly. “I'll try one! Oh, but…which one to choose…?” His gaze scanned the colorful array again.“Here, I'll help you decide.” Sara smiled as she grabbed the Ruri-chan cookie from one of the slices and held it up to his lips.“E-eh?! Y-you're going to f-f-feed me? I-itadakimasu!!!! (t-thanks for the food!)” Levi blushed darkly but shyly opened his mouth, only to pause. “It…feels wrong to bite her head off…”Without missing a beat, Sara stuffed the whole cookie into his open mouth. “Problem solved?”“M-mhmm!” With his cheeks full like a chipmunk’s, Leviathan chewed delicately and closed his eyes to savor the taste until he swallowed it down.“Oishii! (tasty!) So yummy…” When he opened his eyes again, Sara was already holding the pink and white swirled cheesecake under his nose. The sweet smell of smooth filling and graham cracker crust was more than enough to make his mouth water. He took a big bite, humming as the sweet, creamy filling melted on his tongue.“Strawberries and cream?!” He gushed, his mouth still full of cake. “It pairs so well with her color palette!!” He let out a soft, appreciative moan as he chewed.“Of course! Each flavor is paired with the character's color palette or personality.” Sara beamed.Levi gulped and eagerly opened his mouth for more. He finished the delicious treat in just a few bites and as he licked his lips, his gaze wandered to the cheesecake tray.“Thinking of trying another one?”“W-well, Ruri-chan w-would be lonely without Azuki-tan…”Sara nodded with a smile. She picked up a cookie shaped like the friendly red bean pancake mascot and held it up to his mouth for him to take a bite. The adorable Azuki-tan cookie was paired with a delicious chocolate cheesecake.It was deliciously soft, sweet, and (like most of Sara's creations) absolutely irresistible. He finished it in no time at all.“Good job!” Sara patted Levi’s head as he chewed and swallowed the last bite. She smiled again when his hand drifted to his tummy. “Full for now? I wouldn't want you to spoil your dinner.”Leviathan nodded quickly, though his gaze lingered on the rest of the desserts. “You're on dinner duty, right? I wouldn't miss that for the world!”Sara smiled, a light blush dusting her cheeks as she carefully closed the lid on the large container.“See you at dinner.” She turned to leave, then looked back over her shoulder. “I know you're not the Avatar of Gluttony, but, pace yourself, okay? Don't eat them all at once, or you'll regret it when you're too full to move. Human World cheesecake is very rich.”“W-wakatta! (u-understood!)” He replied, adding under his breath: “I-I mean, I have some self-control, ya know… It’d be kinda…embarrassing if I overdid it and you had to, uh…take care of me or s-something.”Sara giggled. “I’ll always take care of you, Levi.”
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After Sara had left, Leviathan opened the container again, telling himself it was just to admire her hard work.“I know I'm full…Ahh, demo (but)...” His hand hovered tentatively over one of the cakes, fingers twitching in anticipation. “Sara even made Ruri-chan’s pet, Peetie the Pancake…!” He hesitated a moment longer before picking up the slice. “Well…it's only fair if they stick together, right?”Peetie the Pancake in cookie form sat atop a caramel cheesecake with pretzel pieces pressed into the sides, the salty crunch contrasting with the sweet filling.“I'll stop after this one,” Levi promised himself, trying to ignore the soft, protesting gurgle from his stomach as he took another big bite.“Umai! (delicious!)” He sighed contently after he finished, dragging his tongue across his lips to savor every last crumb. For a moment, he leaned back in his chair, stifling a small burp and patting his full tummy.But as his gaze lingered on the remaining slices, Levi couldn't help the guilt from creeping in. Not because he was already full, but because he couldn't bear the thought of leaving any of his faves behind–especially because Sara had made them extra special.“Well…one more couldn't hurt, right?”The next slice was Oreo flavored, decorated with a cookie shaped like the Lord of Shadows from The Tale of the Seven Lords. He took a big bite of cookie paired with some of the rich and creamy cheesecake filling.The treat joined the growing “party” in his stomach and he groaned softly, rubbing his middle. But as the weight pressing into his aching tummy grew heavier, his determination burned all the brighter. There were only five more cheesecakes left, after all.“Daijōbudesu (it's fine)…I can totally handle it!” Leviathan grabbed two slices at a time, one in each hand, muttering: “Flowers never say never!!” before biting into them both.The demon groaned softly as he forced the two flavors to mingle on his tongue, each bite making his overworked jaw ache more. Each and every swallow made his stomach protest more, a full, persistent ache radiating through his middle.Although the myriad of rich flavors was already overwhelming, he was in too deep to stop now. Bite after bite, he worked his way through the remaining slices as his stomach gurgled louder and more insistant with each addition.Levi chewed the last cheesecake slowly, forcing himself to swallow even as his body begged for a break. By the time he was halfway through, he had to pause to shift uncomfortably in his chair, a soft whimper escaping him as the motion pressed his tummy against the edge of his desk. It was a painful reminder of just how full he was. His gaze flicked downward, catching a glimpse at the way his belly rounded out and pressed into the desk he once sat comfortably behind. Heat rushed to his face at the memory of how his stomach used to fit, never quite making contact. But now…He squirmed again in discomfort, painfully overfull but too close to finishing to give up.“A-almost…there…” When he got to the last bite, Levi swallowed it with a weak, satisfied groan. His belly felt achingly full, his waistband impossibly tight, but even that wasn’t enough to keep him from eyeing the crumbs clinging to the container.Levi hunched over the container, licking up every last crumb with abandon, his groans of satisfaction spilling out as he worked to leave nothing behind.“Fū…onaka kurushii…(Phew…my stomach hurts…) but, it’s worth it. Hnnng…”Levi’s cheeks were flushed and his breaths were shallow as he sprawled in his chair, his thighs spread wide to accommodate his bloated middle. He cast a drowsy, self-satisfied gaze at the perfectly empty and licked-clean container from Sara.Leviathan tilted his head back, one hand clutching at his stuffed tummy while the other rested limply at his side. His lips were parted slightly as he tried to catch his breath after the ordeal, shifting beneath his too-full belly.Although his tummy ached and sat heavy in his lap, he couldn't help but smirk a bit. “M-mission accomplished…”—When Leviathan didn’t show up for dinner, Sara didn’t think too much of it–at first. It wasn’t entirely unusual for him, but she had made it her personal mission to ensure he was well-fed after all. So, like she'd done countless times before, she put together a special plate for him, with a few extras.She hummed softly as she headed back upstairs with the dinner plate in hand. When she reached his room, she cheerfully knocked on the door. “Sharky, I brought you some food!”Silence.Sara frowned and waited a moment longer before she nudged the door open with her hip and entered. “Since you missed dinner, I–”She stopped abruptly, eyes going wide as her gaze locked on the completely empty cheesecake container on his desk. She then looked down at the very uncomfortable-looking demon curled up in his bed, a blanket draped over his middle.Levi hiccuped and groaned, avoiding her gaze.“Levi?! Did you…did you eat all of them?”He winced at the question, the tips of his ears turning red. "G-Gomen! (I-I’m sorry!) I h-had to eat them all! I didn't want any of them to feel left out! They’re together now…in my stomach.”Sara blinked, processing his logic. Before she could manage a response, his stomach let out a particularly loud gurgly groan, making him flinch and clutch it tightly.“Ugh, it h-hurts…Why did my belly betray me?! All I wanted was to make you happy!”“Oh, Sharky… Why didn't you stop eating when you were full?”“Hnnng…I should've stopped after the third slice but noooo, I just HAD to prove myself
…”“Prove yourself…? I should have known you would finish them all in one sitting…” Her expression softened as she set the tray of food on his nightstand and climbed into his bathtub bed. “You demons don't really have much self control, do you?”Dodging the accusatory question, Levi's gaze flickered from her to the abandoned plate of food on the table. “Y-you said you brought dinner for me? What is it?”“I did. It’s broiled Deathfish with garlic underworld mashed potatoes and a side salad, with some fried bat and a dinner roll.”“Ano…(um…) you’re not going to give it to someone else, a-are you?”“...No? It’s yours, Levi. Don't worry, I'll put it in the fridge for you to eat later.”“What if Beel eats it?!”“I’ll make sure he doesn’t. And if he does, then I’ll just make some more for you.”“But…you worked so hard on it. And it's…it's special, because you made it for me. I can make room!”When Sara didn’t look convinced, he added: “I just don't want to disappoint you…more than I already have.”“You haven't disappointed me, Levi, and you won't. You already ate way too much, and I'd be more upset if you made yourself feel worse for my sake.”Levi picked at the threads of his blanket as his stomach gurgled loudly. “Ano… (um...) I really do love your cooking, though….”“I know, sweetheart, I know. Now you'll just have to let me take care of your tummy ache, okay?” Sara reached out instinctually, but the demon flinched away.“YOU'RE T-T-TOO CLOSE!”“Pleaaase? Your belly is begging for relief.”“D-Demo, hontō ni hazukashii yo!! (b-but, this is so embarrassing!!)”“And?” She started to peel away the blanket. “Lemme see…”“N-NO!” He squeaked.Sara's shoulders slumped. “C’mon… I take care of Beelzebub's tummy aches all the time…and he accidentally eats ceramic plates and Solomon’s unidentifiable cooking!”Leviathan groaned and buried his face in his blanket. “Ughh…Just let me suffer alone…”Sara sighed and started to stand up. “Well if you won't let me take care of you, then I guess I'll just have to go next door to Asmo’s room…”A cold jealousy flared in the Avatar of Envy as he began to transform.A pair of pointed coral-branch horns jutted out from his indigo bangs before his serpentine tail unfurled, oil slick scales catching the dim light to sparkle like dark water.His loose casual clothes dissolved into the dark, intimidating blacks and vivid purples of his demon form outfit. Tailored fabric clung tightly to his frame, emphasizing the soft curve of his belly while black slacks stretched snuggly at his waist.But instead of a commanding voice to match, his plea came out as more of a tentative squeak.“Ch-chotto matte (wait a minute)...” Levi’s hands remained pressed to his rumbling stomach over the blanket as the tip of his scaly tail wrapped around her wrist, afraid she might pull away. His voice cracked as he pleaded: “P-please stay!”“Of course I will, Levi.” Sara smiled. “If I can't rub your tummy, will you at least let me bring you some tea?”“...W-Wakatta. (o-okay)” He nodded. “…Hurry back?”“Of course. But, take it easy until I get back, okay? Your tummy’s in no condition for more.”Levi huffed. “Yeah, yeah…I’m not moving anytime soon.”“Good boy.” Sara kissed his head before she got up and left the room, calling over her shoulder: “I'll be right back!”—When Sara returned to his room and gently opened the door, she was greeted by a scene that stopped her in her tracks.Levi, fork in hand, was perched on the ottoman next to his bed and attempting to force another bite of food into his mouth. The generous plate of dinner she had brought up was already looking noticeably less full while his belly was significantly more so, pressing against his shirt in a way that made it ride up to reveal a sliver of pale, taut skin.His belly, already swollen and taut from the cheesecakes, pressed tightly against the waistband of his slacks, the fabric straining to contain the soft, rounded curve. Every breath was shallow, every bite seemed to push him closer to the edge, but still, he didn’t stop. The strained noises slipping from his throat were caught somewhere between satisfaction and discomfort. His tail swayed behind him erratically, the tip curling and uncurling with effort.Sara finally found her voice and shouted: “Leviathan!”He startled violently, fork clattering onto the plate as his tail twitched. “I-I wasn't! I mean, I was, but I-I CAN'T HELP IT, OKAY?”“What did I just tell you?” Her tone was sharp but filled with worry. With the blanket now draped over his shoulders, she couldn’t help but notice the way his bloated belly poked out from under his shirt. She willed the blush creeping up her neck to dissipate and cleared her throat. “You’ve already eaten more than enough. Your tummy—”“So?!” He snapped, his voice cracking beneath the emotions swirling within. His words tumbled out in a frantic mess. “If I don’t eat it, if it goes to someone else, then what kind of pathetic, ungrateful otaku am I?”“Hey, hey, hey–listen to me. I wouldn’t think anything less of you, alright? So please, don’t talk about yourself like that. What worries me is seeing you trying to push yourself.”“I'm sorry!” Levi stammered, thrashing his tail through the air as she approached.“It’s okay, I should've taken it with me, anyway. Lemme just-”When Sara reached for the food to set it aside, Levi’s hands shot up to clutch the plate firmly. A low, guttural growl escaped his throat as his pupils narrowed to slits. “Dame da! (you can't!) D-Don’t take it away! IT'S MINE!”Sara had retracted her hand, blinking in shock. “Levi, please…” She shifted slightly, only for him to bare his teeth and hiss at her.“Ore no tabemono! (my food!)” His voice had dipped to a low, feral growl.“Baby… Haven't you put your tummy through enough today?” Sara furrowed her brow.“...You made this for ME.” Levi's voice cracked, hands trembling around the edge of the plate.“Sharky…” Sara set the mug of tea on the table and stepped closer, her movements slow and deliberate. “I did make it just for you, but not so you could hurt yourself with it by eating everything all at once.”Leviathan didn't respond, grip tightening on the plate. His tail lashed out once in warning and thudded to the floor.“Listen to me. Your food isn't going anywhere, okay? It's still yours. No one else is going to take it.” She gently placed her hand over his. “I'm just going to go put it on your desk-”“No I…I NEED IT! I-” His words collapsed into something entirely incomprehensible to the human, a string of guttural syllables in some ancient forgotten language.Sara stood her ground despite the brief chill that traveled down her spine as his demon speech seemed to settle in her chest. He was acting like a wolf guarding its kill and yet…“...How are you this terrifying and yet the cutest thing I've ever seen?”Leviathan's demonic growling cut off. “K-kawaii?! (c-cute?!) You think this…is cute?! You're crazy… Anta, hontō ni baka mitai da yo!! (you're really crazy!!)”“Maybe so, but you're still cute!”Levi chuffed dramatically. “Yabai ningen…(ridiculous human…)”“Yabai akuma! (ridiculous demon!)” She countered smoothly, a sly smile tugging at her lips as slowly reached for his plate.But her movements weren't slow or subtle enough. The moment he saw her hand inch forward, his demonic aura came rushing back, nearly overwhelming her this time.“You…you're trying to take it! You tricked me!” Levi’s primal growl deepened as he hunched over the plate. “Yada! (no way!)” The dark aura surrounding him flared and surged outward, his breathing sharp and erratic. “You can't take it back!”When she refused to back down, he locked his gaze on her while his nostrils flared. This time, his voice splintered into several overlapping tones that echoed through the room as he hissed: “I don't want anyone else to have it!”Leviathan’s demonic energy filled the room and overflowed, filling Sara with crushing dread, but still she stood her ground.“It's mine to eat-” He reiterated in his own voice this time “-and I won't stop!” He lowered his head and tore into his food like an animal with wild and desperate bites, his fork long forgotten.“Levi, you have to stop!” Sara spluttered. “You're going to make yourself sick if you don't!”He flinched at her words but didn't stop eating, letting out a hiss and snapping his teeth when she inched closer.“Bad demon! Do I need to grab a muzzle?! I swear–I’ll do it!”A wounded expression flashed across his face before he growled at her through a mouthful of fish and swallowed thickly with an audible gulp. His hand gripped his swollen stomach as he forced down another bite.“Stop!” Sara pleaded, but he ignored her. When he let out a strained whimper, she blurted out a panicked and frustrated:“STAY!”
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“STAY!”
The pact took immediate effect. He froze before his trembling body sank to one knee in compliance, the terrifying demonic energy draining into something small and submissive.“Ghh-!” Leviathan groaned, doubling over as his already cramping stomach loudly protested the movement. He blinked rapidly, hot tears stinging the corners of his eyes as his tail wrapped tightly around his aching middle. A pained whimper escaped his lips. “Ahh, itai itai itai (ow ow ow)...”Sara's breath hitched. “Oh, Levi, I'm so sorry!” She quickly released the command with a panicked apology. “Please, get up—slowly!—easy, easy… I'm so sorry I…didn't mean…”Levi shakily pushed himself upright, his face flushed with guilt and embarrassment. “No, it's okay…I…totally deserved that...” He kept his eyes downcast, unwilling to let her see the tears that were brimming, threatening to fall. His tail went limp as he braced himself with one hand on the floor while the other clutched at his sore stomach. “You were just punishing me for being a stupid, gluttonous otaku… I'm sorry for being so pathetic.”Sara's heart twinged at his words. She quickly knelt down and cupped his cheeks in her gentle hands. “Levi, honey, no, stop that right now.” Her thumbs brushed his cheeks, catching the tears before they could fall.“It was an accident. I promise.” She insisted. “I would never use our pact to punish you like that, especially not over something like this. I was just…surprised, is all.”Leviathan sniffled, still averting his gaze. “D-Demo, ore (b-but, I)...”“Levi, look at me.” Sara spoke gently. When he hesitated, she repeated herself, softer this time. “Please look at me.”Leviathan finally looked up at her, his dual-colored eyes still watery.“I didn't mean to hurt you—and you didn't deserve that.” Her eyes softened. “But seriously, Sharky, what in the Devildom were you thinking? I ask again…haven't you put your poor tummy through enough already? You're already stuffed to the gills.”“I—!” Levi bit his lip as his stomach let out a low, upset grumble. “I just…didn't want it to go to waste…”Sara smiled. “It won't go to waste. It's right here, okay? That plate is not going anywhere. Now….no more sneaking bites, honey. I'm serious. You're going to make yourself feel so much worse if you do.”“Gomen (I'm sorry)…I—I wasn't going to eat all of it…”“Sure you weren't. Nice try, hon. Now let's get you back in bed.” Sara gently took his arm and helped him back into the tub to settle amongst the pillows and blankets.After attempting to find a comfortable position between pained whimpers, he gathered a blanket and a plushie into his lap.“Here, have some tea now, okay?” She grabbed the warm mug from the side table and handed it to him. “It's ginger tea, so it should help your tummy.” She sat down on an ottoman next to his bed, watching him softly.“A-A-Arigato (th-th-thank you)…” Levi took the mug in his trembling hands and sipped—before he took a long, desperate gulp.“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Sip it, Levi, don't chug it!”“B-but you said it'll help! I just -”“It will help, but if you chug it like that, it might upset your tummy even more.”“But when I sip it, I have to taste it more.” He took another sip and made a face. “Blech…this isn't your usual energy potion…”“That's because it's supposed to heal you, not hype you up like an energy drink. Just think of it as a healing potion, okay, Sharky? Drink up—slowly.”“Fine…” Leviathan grumbled into his mug. “It was more palatable when I could chug it, though…” He took an exaggerated slurp, making a show of sipping the tea. A few seconds ticked by before he took another comically loud sip.“You’re doing that on purpose!”“I’m sipping!” His tail flicked smugly. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”Sara playfully rolled her eyes. “How are you hundreds of years older than me and yet you're still, like what…five?”“Tch, rude…” He flicked his tail—this time in annoyance—but scooted a little closer to her all the same. “Attacking a guy when he's already down with a tummy ache? Talk about a critical hit…”“I'm only trying to help here, okay? Now look, you've only got a few sips left.” Sara's expression softened as she rubbed gentle circles on his back.When the mug was empty, Leviathan handed it back to her with a dramatic flourish. “There. All gone.”“Good job.” Sara set the empty mug on the nightstand. “How's that belly ache feeling now?”He gingerly pressed on his stomach, still tight as a drum, and groaned softly, “It's…warm, and kinda nice I guess…but also so heavy, and my tummy still hurtssss…”“You probably just need to burp. Release some of that pressure.” Sara reached her hands around him and started rubbing his tummy, just under his ribs, applying a tiny bit of pressure. “Here, lemme help.” She added when his muscles tensed more beneath her touch.Levi squirmed and tried to push her away. “N-Nani? (w-what?) That's so embarrassing…I can't—hnghh—burp on command like Beel!”“No one's asking you to. Just let it come naturally. Don't force it or you might make your tummy sicker…” She playfully pouted her lips. “You know how much I like it when you burp…don't you? C'mon, burp for me, Sharky~ I know you can do it.”Levi's face turned bright red and his tail curled and uncurled around her arm as her rubbing coaxed some hiccups out of him. Although he tried to hold back, eventually the pressure and loud gurgling in his stomach became too much. “Hic!...Hic…hic–urrrrrrp...ughhh.”Sara beamed. “See?! Atta boy. Now I bet that helped a little bit, huh?”“Y'know… Yeah. Actually, I think the tea and everything totally worked, like, really well!” Levi said, his voice a little too high to be convincing. “My tummy’s feeling way better already, so, maybe…maybe I could, uh, try eating some more dinner after all?”“Yeah…you're not fooling me, mister.”“I'm serious! I can totally—ugh—handle it!”“Levi. You just downed a mug of tea after overstuffing yourself with cheesecake and some dinner. You do not need to eat anything else right now. Your stomach needs a rest, not more food.”“Well what about another cup of tea? Ya know, to make double sure my stomach feels better.” The tip of Levi’s tail curled up just like his voice as he tried to sound casual and failed. It was time to turn up the charm. “You’d do that for me, right, Sara-chan? You spoil me all the time anyway…”“If I leave, you’re just going to eat the rest of the food! Or bite me if I try to take it away.” Sara grumbled.“I can handle it—I swear!”“Sharky…I can hear your tummy growling at me, and not in the ‘I’m hungry, feed me more’ kind of way. It sounds like Cerberus.”“It's not growling at you! Just…processing. Yeah! It's processing all the cheesecake…and e-everything else. So it's, um, totally ready for more!”His stomach let out a loud, accusatory gurgle. “Ugh…stupid tummy…” he mumbled, looking down at himself.“Seriously, I know how much you love my cooking. You don't need to eat through a painful tummy ache just to prove it to me, okay?”“B-but…my…my tummy wants it…” Levi turned his puppy eyes on her as his gloved hands kneaded his belly softly, as if the action would make more room in there. “A-And it's just sitting over there, looking so good… P-Please?” He looked at the plate of food, then back to her.“Levi…” Sara pressed her lips into a thin line. “What's really going on here? Hm?”He flinched. “A-Ano (u-um)…well, you like it w-when I—” The demon clamped a hand over his mouth, mortified by what had almost slipped out.“Oh, honey… You think I like seeing you like this?”“Y-you do, though! S-Sometimes…” Levi mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper and getting smaller. “Y-You…You take care of me when I'm…” His shoulders slumped. “…when I'm stupid and eat too much...”“Levi, of course I take care of you…” She opened her arms for him. “I love taking care of you. But not like this—not when it’s hurting you so much.”“But when you do…it feels…nice. Like I’m not just some dumb, useless otaku. Like I actually matter.”“You always matter to me, and you don't need to…to punish yourself just to get my attention.”He tapped his fingertips together. “Demo (but)… Don’t you…like it when my t-tummy hurts?”“Well, yes—but I don't want you to go around making it hurt on purpose!”“I…didn't mean for it to get this…bad. I just wanted…”“You just wanted me to stay.”Leviathan nodded, sniffling as he finally allowed himself to lean into her embrace, resting his head in her lap. But he wasn’t giving up. “I-I promise I’ll go slow! Just a little bit at a time! And if it hurts too much, I’ll stop—I swear! Please…it's not just about the food. You brought this for me, you were thinking of…of me. Just this once…let me finish what you made?”Sara sighed, defeated. “You're really not letting this go…are you?”“I know I'm not strong or brave like the others but…at least I can do this, r-right?!”“You are strong and brave! And I am so proud of you already.” Her voice was firm but still full of affection. “But you don't have to eat until you cry to prove it to me, alright?”“You c-can feed it to me…” Levi’s pleading pout deepened, his lower lip quivering as he gazed up at her with the offer. “Y'know…to make sure I don't o-overdo it…”“You sure know how to play your cards, don't you? You already ate too much and yet you still…” Sara's voice trailed off as she got caught in his puppy-eyed stare.“....Okay, okay! Fine.” She gave him a pointed look when his expression brightened. “But you're going slow, and the second you feel worse, you're done—end of story.”He nodded eagerly. “Wakatteru! Arigato (I know! thank you), Sara-chan! I'll be good, I–I promise.”“Okay…I believe you.” Sara took the plate from the side table and uttered a spell to heat it up a bit. She hesitated for a moment, then carefully lifted the fork with a small bite of fish to his lips.“Now open up, Sharky.”
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"Now open up, Sharky."“Y-Yes ma’am!” Leviathan eagerly opened his mouth and ate up the delicious morsel.Sara offered him another little forkful, then scanned his face and body for any sign of discomfort. As he chewed and finally swallowed, a small, wet burp escaped his lips before he could suppress it.Sara froze. “Are you okay? Does your tummy hurt too much?!”He quickly shook his head. “Iya (no)—I'm fine! It was just a burp... A really gross burp…”Sara's brow furrowed. “It's not gross, but are you sure you're alright? We can stop—”“No!” Levi interrupted, clutching the blanket that sat around his aching middle. “I mean, I'm totally fine, I swear! You're doing so good, a-and my tummy is feeling—ulp—so much better…” He glanced down at the plate. “C–...Can I have some more?”Sara relented, gently offering him a bite of mashed potatoes. “Only if you're sure...”Despite his roiling stomach, Levi immediately leaned forward and took the bite. “Mmm, oishii! (tasty!) S-So good…hic!”Sara tensed again, seeing how the hiccup wracked his sore body. “Are you sure you're okay?! Poor tummy…”“Daijōbu! Zenzen daijōbu! (I'm fine! I'm totally fine!), don't worry, just some more—hic!—hiccups…but, please don't stop…” Leviathan’s voice was small and full of desperation. “It…It feels so nice when you take care of me like this.” His tail tapped the side of his tub as he held his mouth open again, a silent plea for more.“If you’re sure…” She readied the next bite, holding it out to him on the fork.Levi tilted his head away like he might refuse, looking hesitant. But after a moment, he gave in, leaning forward to take the bite, his movements slow and strained.Sara hesitated as she lifted the next forkful, watching him carefully. This time, as he chewed, a small, pained whimper slipped out.“That's it, you're done—”“No, please don't stop feeding me! Please…” Levi whined, gently grabbing her wrist in his trembling hand and guiding the fork closer to his mouth. “I…I need to be taught a lesson…”“Th-This is not a way to learn a lesson, Levi!” Sara exclaimed. “You want me to force it on you?!”Although his cheeks burned bright red, he gave a faint nod.“Even if you refuse? You want me to feed you every last bite?”Leviathan nodded again. His blush went a tinge darker as he gave her a pleading look that was borderline pitiful. “Ku…Kudasaiiiiiii? (p-pleaseeeee?)” He begged.Sara sighed and briefly closed her eyes, steeling her resolve. When she opened them again, she locked her gaze on him while offering another, slightly larger bite of food. “Just remember—this is what you wanted, so…eat it, right now, I…don't care what your tummy thinks.”Levi blushed and bit his lip as he nodded eagerly. He ate it up and opened his mouth to allow her to feed him another bite, faster this time. The demon chewed, paused to groan, and then kept chewing, his eyelids fluttering. “Mmmf…”Sara fidgeted. “Promise me you'll use the safe word when you’ve really hit your limit.”Leviathan gulped down the food in his mouth. “I promise!”“Okay, and what's the safe word, Levi?”“G-Game over… But I didn't use it just now! Boku wa…! Tabetai…(I…want to eat.)”"Alright then…eat.” Sara grabbed the half eaten bread roll from his plate and poked it against his closed lips. He eagerly opened his mouth, his eyes rolling back a bit as she pushed the bread inside.“Just remember this is not a punishment, just love.”She had the next bite ready for him before he had even swallowed, allowing herself to pick up the pace.“N-No more…mō muri da yō… (I can’t take it anymore…) I can't…it's too much…” Levi gave a pitiful moan and dramatically clutched his stomach. But when she didn’t move immediately to feed him, he tilted his head back and parted his lips expectantly. “Aaah...”“You are so spoiled! You brat.” She playfully shook her head and offered him another bite of fish. When he gulped it down and opened his mouth again, this time, she offered him a forkful of salad.Levi made a face. “Yada! (no way!) My tummy doesn't want that!”Sara pushed the fork under his nose, and he regarded it with a look of disgust.“Ugghhh...hara ippai. Mō…taberarenai yo… (I'm full. I…can't eat anymore…)”“Well it’s too late for that!” She wiggled the fork at him. “You want to finish your plate so badly, yeah? That includes eating your damn vegetables, Levi.”Levi clicked his tongue and flicked his tail irritably. “Tch…”“C'mon, belladonna and hemlock greens? With some tasty dressing? All part of a balanced demon diet. There's some shadow veggies mixed in to give it a little crunch.” Sara lifted the fork a little. “Just don't ask me to eat it for you, I'd probably die.”He turned up his nose. “I don't wanna…”"How about some fried bat?”Levi perked up immediately at the mention of the crispy delicacy.“Finish your salad first, then you can have it.”After a long pause, Levi grumbled. “...Wakatta yo. (...fine)” He mumbled, adding under his breath: “Hontou ni iya da na. (I really don't like this.)Sara grinned triumphantly as he took a bite of greens. “See? Was that so hard?” She teased. “It's like pulling teeth trying to get you to eat fruit and vegetables.” Her gaze softened again–she couldn’t help it–as she watched him chew and swallow. “I only pester you because I love you so much. I want to make sure you're happy and healthy.”Leviathan glanced at her out of the corner of his eye as his tail flicked with irritation. “Mph… Doesn’t mean I have to like it…” He muttered before shoveling the rest of the salad into his mouth with a dramatic huff.“Done?” She asked brightly.He let out a groan when he swallowed. “Can I—hic—have the bat now?”“I suppose you've earned it. For now.” Sara took the fried lump and dipped it in a little Death’s Door hot sauce before she tauntingly dangled it over his head.Instead of taking a little bite, Levi lunged and took the entire thing in his mouth, cheeks bulging as he chewed. He swallowed the mouthful with difficulty, his throat working hard to force down the greasy, savory meat. His breathing grew labored as he wiped sweat from his brow with trembling fingers."Are you slowing down already, Skarky? Pathetic.” Sara taunted before adding in a whisper: “Just remember it’s okay to stop if you need to. I won’t think any less of you.”Leviathan nodded faintly, his hands moving to cradle his overstuffed stomach as he grimaced. He hesitated as she held another piece of fish to his lips, furrowing his brow. “Ugh, mou muri…yamete kure… (Ugh, please, no more…)” He whimpered, yet his lips still parted to allow her to feed him.“C'mon, there's not much left.”That was a lie, there was a decent amount of fish, bread, and potatoes left.“Hurry it up. Stuff yourself before it gets cold again.” Sara found it increasingly difficult to maintain the rough act as he continued to push himself. She could see it in the way his shoulders tensed, his breathing shallow as he shifted uncomfortably under his blanket.Levi's hands gripped the lip of the tub and rested his chin on the edge, gazing up at her with a mix of determination and vulnerability. His tail rhythmically tapped the pillows behind him, betraying his nervous energy. Sara clenched the fork a little tighter, her gaze darting between his flushed face and the next bite.Levi could feel the weight pressing against his stomach, the heaviness sinking deeper with each passing moment and stretching the ache across his belly until it was all-consuming. The waistline of his pants was feeling impossibly tight, digging uncomfortably into his swollen middle, but he didn’t dare shift to adjust it.“Almost there…” Sara coaxed. “Don’t chicken out now.”“M-Mhmm…” His stomach twisted and he softly cried out, the sound muffled as he bit his lip to cut it off. His fingers tightened on the rim of the tub as his tail thrashed from the intense discomfort. Despite the pain, when she raised the fork again, Levi opened his mouth obediently and took the bite without hesitation.The taste was delicious but the enjoyment was overshadowed by the growing ache in his overworked stomach. He chewed and swallowed slowly, feeling the food settle heavily on top of everything else he’d already eaten.Levi took another bite, and another, each swallow accompanied by a faint whimper and a protesting growl from his tummy. The pain in his distended belly blossomed into a sharp, relentless pressure that made his breath hitch. He shifted in place, trying to suppress a burp that had been threatening to bubble up. The air gurgled in his throat and despite his best efforts, a strained belch escaped his lips.He managed a shaky breath, his throat still gurgling as another burp tried to force its way out, and he half-muttered, half-burped, "S-Sorry...trying—hhrrrrp—not to...oof…”“Little bloated there?” Sara watched as he slowly pulled the blanket off his lap with a tired groan.“Uh huh…” Leviathan sighed as he rubbed his stomach in slow circles, feeling the warmth of his belly that only made him more aware of how full he was.He slumped forward and exhaled slowly–the tightness in his belly made it hard to breathe–but as his stomach pressed against the wall of the tub, he felt a fleeting comfort. The cool porcelain against his skin felt soothing, a temporary relief from the warmth of his painfully overstuffed belly.Yet the Avatar was still unable to resist the delicious food Sara was offering him. A few more bites slid down his throat, each one feeling like a meal of its own to an overburdened belly. His stomach rumbled again, and another burp slipped free, louder this time, followed by an exaggerated grunt of frustration and a thrash of his tail.
“Gomen nasai… (I'm sorry…)”
“Levi…it's okay, really.”Leviathan swallowed another burp that sent a shudder through his body to his tail tip. But holding in the trapped air intensified the sharp pain and made his eyes water."You’re just going to make yourself sicker if you keep holding them in, y’know.”Finally, Sara sighed in relief. There was only one more bite left; enough fish for a forkful. Her tone softened as she easily slipped back into her natural caretaker role with him, her sharp gaze melting into gentle encouragement. “Just one more bite, okay, sweetie? You've done so well.”Levi nodded faintly. Although his stomach howled in protest, he opened his mouth, his movements sluggish but determined, letting her carefully feed him the very last bite of fish.“There we go.” Sara hummed, brushing his damp bangs out of his face while he chewed. “That's my Sharky.”With much effort, he swallowed, his face flushed and his breathing heavy and uneven. His posture drooped and his tail wagged weakly. “I…I did it.”“You did.” She set the empty plate aside, heart aching as she watched him struggling beneath the weight of his meal and the persistent ache in his tummy. He was shifting around, trying to find a more comfortable position on his back, but it only seemed to make things worse with his heavy globe of a belly.“Are you okay?”Levi let out a soft whimper as he sank further into the pillows and blankets. “I have such a tummy ache…” His fingers dug gently into the tight expanse of his belly, but it was clear that nothing could ease the deep, uncomfortable pressure building within him. “My belly feels so heavy and it really h-hurts, But…it was worth it…. You're here with me, and I didn't let you down.”“You never let me down, honey, I–” Sara was interrupted by his painful groan.“Onaka ga...itai yo...mō muri da…(my stomach…it hurts… I can't take it anymore…)” His head lolled back as his lips parted to let out a quiet, strained pant, tears starting to slip down his cheeks. The sound of his gasping breaths and strained burps filled the air.Sara's chest tightened as she realized he wasn't just uncomfortable—he was absolutely miserable.“Levi, I…” Sara began, her voice cracking. “I…feel like I did this to you.”
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“Levi, I…” Sara began, her voice cracking. “I…feel like I did this to you.”Levi's eyes fluttered open, expression hazy and confused. “N-nani? (w-what?)”“I've made you think that you need to overeat just to get my attention. That…if you're not pushing yourself past your limits, you think I won't…that I won't care for you the same way. I never wanted you to feel that way and if I have, then I am so, so sorry…”“What? No! Sara, no…” Levi shook his head rapidly, then winced at the pain it caused. “Iya iya iya. (no no no.) That's not it at all!!”“But…it feels like it. The way you were guarding your food earlier, the way you said I like taking care of you when you're…like this…”“B-But that's not because of you!” He stammered, wrapping his tail instinctively around her waist for reassurance. “It's me. I'm the insecure one. I don't know how to…ask for your attention. Especially when I'm not deserving of it….”Sara's eyes glistened as she reached for his hand. “Now now, what did I tell you? You absolutely deserve to be taken care of!”Leviathan squeezed her hand tightly. “See? There you go again. You make me feel important. Like I'm…worth taking care of. I'm just not…good at, well, at showing you without being an idiot about it.”“Sharky…”Levi gripped her hand a little tighter as a particularly painful cramp rattled him. “You didn't make this happen. You're just…helping me deal with the consequences… I don't know why you'd wanna take care of a yucky, fat otaku like me, anyway…you shouldn't have to.”Sara squeezed his hand, running her thumb gently over his knuckles. “I don't have to, baby, I want to. There's a big difference! You know that, right?”He gave a weak smile and a barely perceptible nod. “I guess…”“And no more self depreciation, okay? You know how much I love you–all of you–especially your cute little tummy.”“I don't know about it being little…”Sara took a deep breath. “Just…next time, stop eating when I tell you to stop, yeah? Or better yet, stop eating when your tummy starts hurting–not after.”Levi let out a small laugh that turned into a hiccup. “I’ll try,” he murmured. “But only because I don’t think I can survive this kind of bellyache again...”“Just don't forget…you don't have to hurt yourself to ‘win’ my affection, okay?”“Wakatteru, tteba (I get it already)…it's just…sometimes, it's hard to remember…”“Well, will you let me remind you?” Sara’s expression softened further. “Will you let me rub your tummy properly now?”The demon nodded shyly as his ears turned scarlet. “Your tummy rubs are healing.”“You are way too cute…” Sara said with a teasing grin.“Just…make it quick before I change my mind.” Leviathan threw his security blanket over his head and pulled it tight around his shoulders as he gripped his plushie.Sara set aside his empty plate and carefully climbed into the bathtub bed to settle next to him, acutely aware of how his breath quickened. And when she gently placed her palms on his distended stomach, he squeaked.“Ngh-” Levi flinched, and his abdominals immediately tensed.“Relax your muscles, Levi. Trust me, it'll start to feel so much better.”“O-Okay…”She put her hands back in place and gently massaged his taut belly with her fingertips. “Does that feel good?”“It's fine, I guess.” Although Leviathan shrugged, the way he shifted slightly to give her better access to his belly said it all.“Y’know, I'd like it if I could see your face…” Sara gently tugged on the blanket. It parted like a curtain, dangling off his antler-like horns as his flushed face came back into view.“There's my baby!”Levi grunted as she kissed the salty tears from his cheeks. “Y-Yamete yo~! (stop it!!!!)”“Nope! I'm not stopping.” Sara covered him in kisses again. “Now let's get you more comfortable, okay?”“Eh?”Levi stared as Sara leaned back against the pillows and patted her thighs.“Lean back against me.”“You…really don’t have to fuss over me…”Slowly, he settled back against her, squeaking again when she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him securely into her lap. His tail twitched erratically, smacking the side of the tub. “This is way too embarrassing…”But his body betrayed him, instinctively leaning into her warm touch as the ache in his stomach flared. “Nnnnhh… I don’t n-need–hic!” A rough hiccup jolted his sore and overstuffed belly, making him whimper softly.“Levi…”He sniffled, trying to blink back fresh tears. “It hurts…”Despite his best efforts, the tears started to spill over. Levi’s lower lip trembled as he spoke. Another hiccup shook him, and his tail thumped the blankets in frustration. “Kuso…(shit…) I’m s-sorry, I can't hold it in anymore…”“Shhh, I’m here.” Sara murmured. “You don’t have to hold anything back.”“H-Hff…” Levi’s breath hitched, a choked sob escaping him through tightly clenched teeth. Another hiccup stung his throat and sent a hot wave of pain through him, making him clutch at his belly.“Ugh it…it hurts so bad!” His voice cracked as he turned slightly to partially bury his face in her chest, his hand moving to clutch at the hem of her shirt. “Make it better, Sara, pleeeeease it huuuuurts!” He gazed up at her with glistening eyes, his cheeks flushed and streaked with hot tears.“I know, I know, I've got you.” She cradled him as he surrendered to her care at last.Leviathan’s shoulders shook as the sobs came harder, increasing the frequency of his painful hiccups. Each one jolted his tender stomach again, making him cry even harder as his voice grew raw and broken.“I—hic—c-can’t—hic—stop!” He wailed, his grip on her tightening as if afraid she might slip away.“It’s okay–I'm not going anywhere.” Although Sara's heart ached for him, she kept her voice and hands steady.Levi's movements were restless, his legs shifting in her lap as his whole body trembled from the release. The overbearing pain worsened his discomfort as the hiccups grew more and more erratic.His breath came in short, strained gasps as the tight waistband of his pants cut cruelly into his sore tummy, the suspenders leaving angry marks in his skin. All the while, his tail continued to thrash erratically, thumping against his pillows and blankets.Sara's free right hand moved to catch the scaly appendage, softly holding it to her chest to prevent him from smacking it against something harder. “Easy, Sharky.” She soothed, running her thumb over the smooth scales.She reached down with her left hand to try and unclip the suspenders at his hips, hoping to relieve some of the discomfort and pressure cutting into his stomach. But he squirmed again and her grip slipped.“Levi, please hold still–”Panic flashed across the demon’s tear-streaked face when her hand stilled its gentle movements for a moment. His golden eyes went wide, shining with desperation. “D-Don’t stop, onegaiiii (pleeease)...rub my tummy!”Sara's heart immediately twinged at the way his voice trembled. “Honey…” Her voice remained calm and steady as she adjusted her position to hold him more securely.“Why does it have to h-h-h–hic!-hurt so much?! I can't take it anymore…!” Levi groaned desperately, tears still streaming down his cheeks and splashing onto her front.
Sara applied a little more pressure, coaxing a deep gurgle from his upset stomach.“Chikushou-! (damn it!) Nnngghhh…” A deep, involuntary burp escaped him, much louder and more forceful than any of the others. But this time he didn't fight so much to keep it in. “G-Gomen (sorry)…so gross…” He stammered while his cheeks still burned.“Nope, not gross, Levi. It's just your body trying to help you feel better. You've just had a lot to eat, it's going to happen, so you can relax and let it out. You're so brave and I'm proud of you for trusting me to help.”Another burp forced its way out, the sound followed by a pitiful groan. “O-Ore wa aho da…(I’m such an idiot…) Ugh, why can't I control myself? What if it n-never stops hur–hrrrrrp–hurting?!” His hiccup-burp broke off into a desperate sob.“It will stop hurting eventually, sweetheart, it will. But please, don't talk about yourself like that. You're hurting, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed. You’re not an idiot, love, just a little too full.”Levi tried to form a response, but the words stumbled out in a disjointed jumble, overwhelmed by the belches and hiccups that punctuated his cries. The soft lisp usually present in his voice became more pronounced as the panic tightened its grip.“It's okay, baby, I've got you. Just let it out, okay?”“Mmph…” Leviathan bit down on his knuckle to suppress another pained whimper, clutching the blankets tightly in his other hand. A deep groan escaped him as a shudder traveled down his spine. “Sa-Sara… I—I… I-I’m… g-g-g-ahh...” He clapped a hand over his mouth, another hiccup forcing its way through his fingers as his tail wiggled weakly in her grasp.“Levi,” Sara prompted softly. “do you feel like you're going to be sick?”“S-Sick?!” Levi's eyes widened as he quickly stammered, “I-Iya! (n-no!) Etto (um)...it just–h-hic–hurts, and…ugh, there's soooo much pressure… I promise I don't feel sick, just…oof, hara ippai (SO full)”Her thumb ran gently along his side. “I just wanted to make sure, in case I needed to grab something for nausea.” She pressed her hand a little bit deeper, squeezing another soft burp out of him. “You've just got a bit of indigestion, huh? Nothing we can't handle.”“Mhhh…I-It’s too much…I’ve never felt so—so h-heavy…” His breath hitched, another deep hiccup punctuating his words. “O-Onaka ga hachikiresou da…! (My s-stomach feels like it's going to burst…!)” His face flamed with a mixture of embarrassment, shame, and–something else. Not only had he completely made a glutton of himself, but…he had enjoyed it.And he’d do it again, just to hear her praise over and over again.He should feel bad. The pain and embarrassment should make him feel like he had learned his lesson, make him vow to never eat so much again, to control himself. But terrifyingly, it did the opposite. The more his belly ached, the more he realized how much he wanted to do it all over again.The soft, gentle praise she showered him with, the way she always seemed to make him feel so loved and cared for–it was too much to resist. It was worth it.This was selfish. Greedy. Manipulative. The words crowding his mind were heavy, suffocating, twisting the pain in his stomach and amplifying it–Levi’s stomach let out a loud, uncomfortable gurgle, cutting through his spiraling thoughts. “Urusai! (shut up!)” He snapped, his face flushing a deeper shade of red.“Hey, hey, you just need to breathe, okay? You're doing great and I'm here to help, but all this movement and tension might make your tummy feel sick after all. Take some deep breaths. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”“I'll t–t–try…” Another hiccup left him breathless and gripping her tighter.“You're going to be okay.” Sara's hand continued its soothing rhythm on his tight tummy, her gentle touch working to slowly ease the discomfort. Her other hand still cradled his long tail against her body to further ground him with her presence.As his breathing slowed and evened out, her fingers traced over the tight suspenders and even tighter waistband that dug into his tummy.“Levi, will you let me take these off now? They're not helping.”The demon sniffled but gave a reluctant nod.Sara wasted no time unclipping his suspenders, unbuttoning his pants and loosening the waistband. While he made a strangled squeak of embarrassment, he didn't stop her this time.Leviathan gasped softly at the release as his tummy spilled out freely, unrestrained. A deep, reverberating belch clawed its way out of him, easing some of the painful pressure inside at last.“That’s it!” Sara hummed, her hands resuming their gentle rubs over his tummy. “That should help a little, yeah?”A shaky sigh escaped him as his body relaxed a fraction more under her care, but his gaze didn’t meet hers. “Ha–hic!–hai, a–...arigato…(yes, t-thank you…) Sara-chan…”Levi’s hiccups gradually slowed, although the soft burping still continued, as Sara continued to soothe him with soft words and gentle movements. He gave into the exhaustion settling over him, leaning heavily into her with his full weight.“There we go…” Sara murmured, slowing her movements but not stopping. “Feeling better, baby?”He nodded weakly, a tiny burp slipping past his lips. “Chotto dake. (A tiny bit.)”“Good.” Sara hummed as she gently wiped away the tear tracks on his cheeks.Levi watched her through watery eyes while she fussed over him, smoothing his bangs and adjusting him in her lap. His face still flushed, he felt so exposed and yet her gentle care seemed endless.“I-I…don’t deserve all this, y’know…especially not with…how I acted.”